OUR IMPACT

Since ZOV began its work in Bulgaria, we have had a very real and life-changing impact for hundreds of children we have supported. The ZOV centres, homes and services are proven to have improved vulnerable children’s self-esteem, communication skills, independence and future prospects.

OVERVIEW OF OUR IMPACT

• Since 2006, 85% of the children that ZOV has been working with have continued on to further education or got jobs since leaving the home.  Before we started working at the home, only 20% of children went on to further education and many ended up involved in criminal or exploitative activities.
•  In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 ZOV was awarded the “Happy Childhood”. by the Child Protection Agency 
• 6 key members of our team have or are studying for PHD in social and child studies, 4 of the PHDs are related to ZOVs work. As well as working in the field of children support services we are in a unique situation to under children’s needs both theoretically and practically.
• To date we have 36 publication, 9 publications in English, 27 in Bulgarian, including 3 books on ZOV’s work.
• Our local lead manager Katia undertook a PhD study on ZOV’s results over the last eight years and showed a measurable increase in the children’s self-esteem and motivation.  Her results showed the importance of individual attention in the reduction of anxiety and promotion of independence.
• Results of Two PHD studies based on the results of ZOVs work with children was presented by staff at 1 national and 3 international conferences in Bulgaria.
• In 2016 and 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 100%, and in 2018 83% of children who left the homes in which we work found jobs or continued on to further education. This compares to 20% prior to our work.
• 430 students have participated in the project since it began in 2008.  38 volunteers and mentors have gained full time employment at centres we work some of which now work for ZOV (90% of the Crisis centre staff has been part of ZOV Outreach and Mentoring).
• 21 National and Local Awards.

We have also enabled children to:

• Gain professional qualifications and key life-skills they otherwise would not have achieved.
• Go on to find work experience, employment and/or university places.
• Improve their health, both physically and emotionally: some children no longer need to use a wheelchair and children once mute now speak!
• Complete the international Duke of Edinburgh Award (the first organisation in Bulgaria to do this!)